Initial Thoughts in Japan
Almost 2 weeks have passed since I wrote this first post. Since then there has been so much going on and a lot of things have changed. New posts will definitely come, but for now, here is the post from the day after I arrived.
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Initial Thoughts (7:27am @ Starbucks Soka Station… no internet here):
In the last day or 2 alone I’ve gone through such a wide range of emotions that I am not often used to going through in such a short period of time. While I know deep down that no matter what I think of feel at present in terms of anxiety, regret, fear, and uncertainty, that I have made the right choice by coming here, there is something that currently bothers me about being in Japan this time around.
I suppose it would be best to start with the negative and work my way into the positive, so it doesn’t look like I’m a complete emotional wreck by the end of this post.
Coming off the plane and 1.5 hour bus ride, I was already in an extremely different state than I normally am. Not only did I not sleep very well for the past week due to anxiety of leaving Toronto, but I also find extreme difficulty sleeping while in a seated position. Getting off the plane and bus, despite not having slept more than 20 hours in the past week, and not having slept for almost the last 24 hours, I was in a very strange state of mind which I could only describe as “make-or-break,” in which the next realization I came to would either keep my adrenaline pumping on or allow me to realize what an unstable state of mind I was currently occupying.
When we got to our apartment that the university had arranged for us, I had fallen into the “break” category and almost totally lost it. It is filthy. It is old. It is highly un-hospitable. Size wise: sure it is huge for the price I am paying, but otherwise it is a dingy little rut. I would have expected more from a private university. Perhaps I should have gone to a public one like Nagoya. The amenities are next to none, and those that are barely work and are extremely poorly kept. It also appears that they only replace things when they are clearly no longer functional, and that the good and the bad are despersed throughout different rooms. Whereas my room has a newer washing machine and fridge, Lisa’s room has new floors, walls, and furniture. In a sense it is a good thing that they aren’t allowing Lisa and myself to stay together, as this way we can share the better of the amenities between ourselves. Also, her fridge honestly smelt as though something had died in it. We went out and raided the cleaning section of our local supermarket last night.
Also just one more concern in the category of the bad. That is the unorganization of our host institution. While I understand it as somewhat “kind” on the university’s behalf to send young students to which newcomers can better relate to pick them up from the train station, our informants were not very informed. Every question we had for them was answered in a very abrupt “wakanai su ne” (meaning to say that they very honestly did not know the answer). This also further fueled (or emptied) my “break” state and drove me into a little puddle of depression during my first night. There are 1,000 questions that are currently left unanswered and I’d feel much more comfortable to know the answers to them, rather than have some youngsters who are all of 18 years old (my brother’s age) come and grab us from the station.
On to the good finally (sorry to depress you): It is a beautiful morning here. The sun is shining, I got a great night’s sleep, everything I know and love about Japan is returning me the longer I stay here, I had great Yakiniku last night. There are so many factors that I see will lead to my happiness in the long term here. Sure I already hit a little snag, but that was totally to be expected, and for it to not be expected is to be utterly and completely naive. I realize that the next few months will be full of despair, and then a resurgence of hope shortly after that. Like the new day, I feel refreshed, optimistic, bright and cheery and feel like letting everyone know it, just like the sun shines to let you know it is a perfect day. However I know that my next challenge is waiting for me as soon as I leave this Starbucks and venture out again.
It is 8am now, and much to my disappointment this Starbucks doesn’t have wireless, and neither does my apartment! So this will be uploaded later on. I have to get back and buy some breakfast for Lisa and myself, then we have a pile of things to accomplish today. I’m going to try and see if we can go to Tokkyu Hands or something to get some stuff for the apartment. Also, I really want to go back to Shinjuku and Yoyogi.
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I’ll get some pics up in another post soon. The weather hasn’t been great lately thanks to the recent typhoon. Also had a small earthquake this morning, it was my first one! Freaked me out! Also had a little welcoming party yesterday with some other people from the apartment. Pics of that will go up eventually as well. Sorry! I’m slow!
September 21st, 2008 at 2:28 pm
Well, sounds like the travel was pretty rough. I was really surprised to hear about your apartment, given how glitzy Japan seems to be. But sounds like you are already starting to have fun again, and I guess it could be a good bonding experience figuring out whose room which appliance is safe to use in.
September 21st, 2008 at 7:28 pm
Hey Cruxay.
Talk about about a rough start. I didn’t quite understand the context of your trip. You said it invovled a private university, and I see the tags involved an exchange? Are you going to be studying there in the future?
I’ll have to watch out when I arrive in Japan, for certain, I read and understand so much less, so if I’m fatigued to a breaking point it will be problematic. Especially when we have to take the train from Kansai to Osaka center - just to get to the ryokan. Speaking of that, do they allow luggage on those trains coming in from the airport? Can you give me any sort of curtoesy/ettiquete tips for the trains regarding luggage, if any?
The apartment sounds like it was terrible, could explain the price. I’m glad things improved in standing on the morning-after, you seem to have the same energy level on being in Japan that I’m currently experiencing, I would hate to have thought the trip would have been permanently tained by that initial fell-swoop.
Your introspective was good. I’d like to hear more, if you can, before I take off on Thursday.
September 21st, 2008 at 7:52 pm
So did your college pay for you to go over there, or did it all come out of your pocket? I was wondering if you had a general idea of the over all cost of your trip (including Lisa) because I wanted to go with a friend and it would be nice to know at least an estimated price range for two people.
Other than that, I do think that’s cruddy that the apartment sucked. But it didn’t seem so bad in your video. Overall the trip looked like it was really enjoyable. I’m going to be transferring to a school that offers Ph.D’s for Japanese majors, so maybe they can help me get over there. I was also wanting to know if yours helped you out at all.
If you would e-mail me back if and when you get time to do so I would appreciate it greatly. Thanks a lot.
Love your videos by the way.
September 22nd, 2008 at 3:14 am
Dude I told you there was an earthquake in Japan. Dam sorry to hear about your apartment, I’m sure you can pimp it up. Two weeks has past since you wrote this so I’m sure things are better now. Hope you get settled in as soon as possible, anyways update this blog as much as possible.
September 22nd, 2008 at 3:27 pm
Pics of beastly apartment plz
September 24th, 2008 at 4:49 am
Hey crux!
Jon here reporting in Malaysia!! Too bad i cannot make a blog like yours so i can only entertain myself by reading yours
Keep up the work and I’ll look forward reading your new posts!
September 24th, 2008 at 10:23 pm
Yo, sorry that once you got there some difficulties came up. Hopefully your stay in Japan will get more positive. Then again, one must experience both bad and good in life. However, I hope that your stay in Japan is overall great and that you will be able to get through upcoming challenges. And this was an interesting blog post. Thanks for posting.
September 27th, 2008 at 9:16 pm
Hey Dude,
That was a very nice post. I hope things only get better for you from here!!
September 28th, 2008 at 6:28 pm
hey cruxay!
glad to hear you’re enjoying Japan! How is it over there? Well, i guess u answered that in your posts lol. My birthday has just passed and i got an iPhone! My Japanese is coming along more and more thanks to watching jdrama. I miss your videos on youtube!
September 29th, 2008 at 1:58 am
Andy: It has been a bumpy ride, and still is. For better or worse, it will be a sort of different bonding experience than everyone originally thought.
Len: Sorry I couldn’t back to you before your trip. I hope you are having an okay time surviving over here! In Japan there are lots of public and private universities, I just happen to be on exchange with a private one which has a partnership with my home university back in Canada. Anything you’d like to know, please don’t hesitate to get a hold of me through email! (I’m sure you are doing fine thought).
Kelsey: After I’m done with responding to people here, I have to jet to pay my rent! =( but I will definitely come back (now that I finally got the wireless network stored out here on campus) and give you a shout through email. Also, thanks for watching my vids!
Rayz: Thanks for reading bro. Don’t worry, lots of updates to come
B-don: Pics of my beast-partment coming soon. =_=
Jon Jai: Hope all is well with your new life in Malaysia! Thanks for reading =D
Kitsune: Thanks for reading!
Shirls: Things are getting better =) thanks for checking up on me.
Riku: Happy birthday! Mine is coming up and I definitely won’t be getting an iphone haha, but I did get a really cool Japanese phone that I can watch live tv on and such. I’ll post about it later on as well too. Hopefully, a video will be made soon as well.
THANKS EVERYONE! =) (even those who just read but didn’t comment)